The Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has disclosed that the first ever Automated Shoe Factory in the state would roll out the first set of shoes by the first quarter of next year as installation of machines imported from China was currently on going at the factory site in Aba.
The Governor made the disclosure at a Fashion Show organized by the Zenith Bank Plc in Lagos. The show which was sponsored by Zenith Bank created platform for the exhibition of Garment and Leather products that are made in Aba.
He used the forum to restate the total commitment of his administration to the promotion and expansion of goods and services manufactured by Abians as a key ingredient of the economic development plans of his government.
Governor Ikpeazu, who was invited by the Bank Management to speak at the event in recognition of his commitment and support to the growth and expansion of locally made products, stated that his administration would continue to support our local producers because it was the only way to grow the economy of the State
He thanked the Board and Management of Zenith Bank Plc for creating such a platform for our local producers and assured them that the leather and garment industry in Aba was a goldmine with guaranteed return on investments.
He called on other financial institutions and investors to take advantage of the huge opportunities in Aba and the entire state, assuring that our people would work with them to fully recoup their investments.
The event was attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu, Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, Group Managing Director of the Bank, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu and other top executives of the Bank including some icons of Fashion and Nollywood.
The Abia delegation included the Honorable Commissioner for SME Development, Mr. Onyema Wachuku, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomuo and a Head of Department in the Ministry, Mrs Ngozi Nwosu, as well as the Director General of the Abia State Marketing and Quality Control Agency, Mr. Sam Hart.
